Whether you want colour or a more minimal vibe, there’s a shade for everyone
When you think of the word ‘hygge’, you may envision fluffy slipper-socks, a marshmallow-laded mug of hot chocolate and a scented candle. Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, it’s a Danish way of living, of seeking out cosiness and comfort – something we are increasingly looking to amp up in our homes. One way of injecting hygge vibes into our spaces is by creating a cosy corner; somewhere you can curl up with a good book and a warming cup of tea or spend time journaling, knitting, or simply relaxing. It’s creating a sanctuary, within your sanctuary. Along with Fleetwood interior designers, we show you the many ways it can be done.
Bold style
Donegal-based Fleetwood interior designer Shelley Leslie wanted a snug in her home as a space for the adults in the house to have some me-time. She wanted it to be vibrant with colour, so opted for the bright jewel tone of Sylvia Beach by Fleetwood, which is fittingly named after a bold and daring woman. The bookseller and publisher of the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris was the only person brave enough to publish James Joyce’s Ulysses. Fittingly, this hue matches the cover of the first edition.
Shelley chose the shade as it complemented her vivid feature wallpaper by designer Lucy Tiffney.
“Sylvia Beach creates a sumptuous look when matched with purple, blue or orange,” she says. “Polar white was used on all the woodwork and trims, and Bayberry blue was used on the ceiling. There are grey tones in this paint which tied comfortably in with the grey carpet.
“The overall colour scheme, although vibrant and maximalist in appearance, gives out a really cosy feel as well as an exhilarating feel all at the same time.”
Quirky flavour
To balance out the mood of the room, Shelley added pops of colour, with her pure wool throw from Ardara Master Weaver Eddie Doherty, Emma Shipley candy pink and patterned cushions from Sinead Herbert Soft Furnishings, and oil on canvas painting from Leitrim artist Brigid Birney. “They all add a quirky flavour to this room and pull out the colours in the wallpaper,” she explains.
Shelley believes colour is important in snugs like hers, particularly in the darker winter months, as well as filling it with personality, like books, plants and artwork.
She adds: “If you’re going to go for a bold feature wallpaper in a room, you need to go all in when your styling it, but still be mindful not to fight with it. Complement and blend through interesting textures and add colour in your accessories!”
Sophisticated shade
If you’re not as big on bright colour, Co Laois based interior designer Alison Dunne recommends opting for a deep shade, like this green Ginko cp1546 by Fleetwood, to bring sophistication and grandeur to your cosy corner.
Pictured here is the entrance hall in a period home near Cashel, Co Tipperary that Alison transformed from neglected and stuck in the past to this beautiful, relaxing space.
Creating that corner to curl up in in your entrance hall is a brilliant way to use a room that people often forget is part of the house, says Alison.
Along with its elegant sage colour palette, with the doors painted in neutral shade Hepburn by Fleetwood, Alison knew she wanted to create drama as well as a sense of comfort with luxe fabrics and accessories.
Adding accessories
She says to make use of what the room has to offer – in this case, there were high ceilings so she opted for a contemporary chandelier from Raymie Ryan Lighting in Cashel. To complement this, she included more gold accessories and a mirror from Hummingbird Interiors in Portarlington and Design Options in Portlaoise.
As an accent colour, Alison went for orange, and selected King occasional chairs in a houndstooth material made in Ireland by Finline Furniture. She made the concious decision to keep this as the only pattern in the room with so many other statement pieces.
Increasing the levels of cosiness are the sumptuous orange velvet curtains, from Laois Blinds and Curtains.
“When styling a corner like this, it’s important to add bright pops of colour like the orange and taupe occasional chair, bright metals like the gold buds on wall and candle sticks on window sill,” Alison says. “Adding more texture with the rug and velvet curtains make it a space you want to linger in.”
Timeless trend
Another distinctive corner created by Alison is this one from a Tipperary home she designed, with vertical panelling fitted by the sofa. Painted in Fleetwood’s Black Cat CP1947 as a base, it gives the illusion that it is floating on the wall.
“This type of panelling lends itself to a more contemporary, modern style home. Be selective in how you use two colours, like black and white, and be prepared to use statement pieces of art/furniture and accessories to give an extra punch of impact,” she advises.
“For example, this straight-line black panelling sitting on a bright white wall needs a blast of colour and texture. That is why I added this fab velvet sizzling orange Baltimore couch from Finline Furniture, a rich pile black and silver rug and commissioned orange paintings by Morris Reidy, a Limerick artist that I absolutely love, to complete this comfortable, elegant and stylishly coordinated space.”
Whatever style you go for, ensure to choose a scheme that feels most special to you. Tap into the colours and textures that bring you joy, go forth and plan your rest-nest for those moments you need some zen.
To find your nearest Fleetwood Prestige stockist, visit fleetwood.ie. Fleetwood Prestige is exclusive to the Vogue, Ventura and Pantone Colour Collections, and any colour can be mixed into Fleetwood Prestige; fleetwood.ie.
